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Time ticks for House override of CIP wage bill’s veto
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Posted on Aug 23 2011
Senate President Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota) reminded the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday of this week’s deadline for the House to override Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s veto of a bill seeking to pay employees working on federally funded capital improvement projects at least the U.S. minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
The CNMI’s current minimum wage is $5.05 an hour.
Fitial vetoed the bill on June 27, and the Legislature has 60 days from that date or up to this week to override the bill.
The Senate overrode the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 17-56, Senate Draft 1 on June 30, and informed the House about it on July 5.
The House, which has yet to act on the bill, is set to have a session on Friday.
“I urge your committee to entertain this bill before Aug. 26, 2011, and it is to my understanding that there will be a House session by the end of this week. This will be our only opportunity to pass this legislation and assist our people and our islands before the time to override expires,” Manglona said in a letter to Ways and Means Committee chair Rep. Ray Basa (Cov-Saipan).
Basa’s committee is also now tied up with the fiscal year 2012 budget bill, which is expected to be included in Friday’s session.
Manglona, author of the bill, said overriding the governor’s veto will be a step toward stimulating the local economy by providing job opportunities for CNMI people.
“SB 17-56, SD1 will provide jobs for these citizens, reduces unemployment, and provides a positive boost in government revenue by raising the level of the public’s disposable income. Additionally, this legislation will only increase wages to the U.S. federal minimum wage level of projects that are federally funded,” he said.
